Arc chute

ABSTRACT

The arc chute includes a plurality of metal arc-splitting plates and a two-part casing formed of dielectric material and assembled with a single push-type fastener. A top portion of the casing includes a shielding and retaining portion for the metal arcsplitting plate closest to the origin of an arc.

United States Patent Rys Q [54] ARC CHUTE [72] Inventor: Tadeusz J. Ry's, Monroe, Ohio [73] Assignee: Square D Company, Park Ridge, Ill. [22] Filed: on. 18, 1971 [21]. Appl. No.: 189,947

[52] US. Cl. .Q ..200/144 R, 200/14? R [51] Int. Cl. ..H01l\ 33/08 [58] Field of Search ..200/l44, 147, 147 B [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,147,419 2/1939 Baker ..200/l47 B [451 Dec. 19, 1972 7/1962 Daly ..200/144 1; 3,327,080

6/1967 Meinders ..200/144 R Primary ExaminerRobert S. Macon Attorney-Harold J. Rathbun et al.

[57] ABSTRACT The arc chute includes a plurality of metal arcsplitting plates and a two-part easing formed of dielectric material and assembled with a single push-type fastener. A top portion of the casing includes a shielding and retaining portion for the metal arc-splitting plate closest to the origin of an are.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures ARC CHUTE This invention relates to an arc chute for a loadbreak switch generally of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat.

No. 3,596,026, issued July 27, 1971.

An object of the invention is to provide an arc chute which is easily assembled and in which a top portion of metal arc-splitting plate closest to the origin of an arc.

Other objects will become apparent when the following description is considered along with the accom panying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an arc chute constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG- 2 is a front view, partially in section, of the arc chute of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view, partially in section, of the arc chute of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 3, but including a switch blade and stationary contact jaw indicated by broken lines.

' With reference to the drawing, an arc chute constructed inaccordance with the invention comprises a two-part casing formed of dielectric material such as arc-resistant glass-reinforced polyester and including a main body portion 12 and a top portion 14. Opposite side wall portions 12a'and 12b of the main body portion 12 are provided respectively with pluralities of inwardly extending, spaced, rib-like projections 12c and 12d for supporting a plurality of generally U-shaped conductive and magnetizable metal arc-splitting plates 16, preferably made of steel, in spaced, generally parallel relationship. One plate 16a is also supported and substantially completely shielded, on the side thereof facing the origin of an are, by a slotted shielding and retaining portion 14a projecting perpendicularly from a remaining generally planar portion 14b of the top portion 14. An arc may be formed upon separation of a stationary contact jaw member 17 (FIG. 4) similar to that of the switch of the aforementioned patent, and a pivotable switch blade 18.

lnterlocking means between the main body portion 12 and top portion 14 are provided adjacent their front ends. Thus, an upper edge of a front wall portion 12c of the main bodyportion 12 is provided with a lug 12f under which the planar portion 14b of the top portion 14 is inserted.

A crossbar portion 123 provided with an outwardly extending peg 12h opposite the lug 12f is joined to the side wall portions 12a and 12b. The planar portion 14b is provided with a hole 14c in which the peg 12h is received. A single push-type fastener 20 pushed onto the peg 12h holds the arc chute 10 in assembled relationship.

A bottom wall portion 121' of the main body portion 12 is provided with a slot 12] for reception of the switch a casing includes a shielding and retaining portion for a and scope of the invention. For example, the shielding and retaining portion 144 could be formed instead as an integral part of the main body portion 12.

I claim:

1. An arc chute comprising a two-part casing of areresistant dielectric material including a main body potion and a top portion, the main body portion including a pair of opposite side wall portions, a front wall portion, and a slotted bottom wall portion, each of the side wall portions having a plurality of spaced projections extending toward the other side wall portion, and a plurality of spaced generally U-shaped conductive magnetizable metal arc-splitting plates disposed in the casing and held in spaced generally parallel relationship by the projections on the side wall portions, one of the plates nearest an origin of an are also being supported and substantially completely shielded on a side thereof nearer an origin of an are by a slotted shielding and retaining portion of the casing.

2. An arc chute as claimed in claim I wherein the slotted shielding and retaining portion of the casing is integral with and projects generally perpendicularly from a remaining generally planar portion of the top portion of the casing.

3. An arc chute as claimed in claim 2 wherein interlocking means between the main body and top portions are provided adjacent their front ends, a crossbar portion connecting the side wall portions and having an outwardly extending peg is provided on the main body portion adjacent its rear end, and the top portion is provided with a hole in which the peg is received, and including a fastener holding the top portion on the peg.

4. An arc chute as claimed in claim 3 wherein the fastener is a push-type fastener.

5. An arc chute as claimed in claim 1 wherein intervided with a hole in which the peg is received, and ineluding a fastener holding the top portion on the peg.

6. An arc chute as claimed in claim 5 wherein the fastener is a push-type fastener.

k 4 t IF 

1. An arc chute comprising a two-part casing of arc-resistant dielectric material including a main body potion and a top portion, the main body portion including a pair of opposite side wall portions, a front wall portion, and a slotted bottom wall portion, each of the side wall portions having a plurality of spaced projections extending toward the other side wall portion, and a plurality of spaced generally U-shaped conductive magnetizable metal arc-splitting plates disposed in the casing and held in spaced generally parallel relationship by the projections on the side wall portions, one of the plates nearest an origin of an arc also being supported and substantially completely shielded on a side thereof nearer an origin of an arc by a slotted shielding and retaining portion of the casing.
 2. An arc chute as claimed in claim 1 wherein the slotted shielding and retaining portion of the casing is integral with and projects generally perpendicularly from a remaining generally planar portion of the top portion of the casing.
 3. An arc chute as claimed in claim 2 wherein interlocking means between the main body and top portions are provided adjacent their front ends, a crossbar portion connecting the side wall portions and having an outwardly extending peg is provided on the main body portion adjacent its rear end, and the top portion is provided with a hole in which the peg is received, and including a fastener holding the top portion on the peg.
 4. An arc chute as claimed in claim 3 wherein the fastener is a push-type fastener.
 5. An arc chute as claimed in claim 1 wherein interlocking means between the main body and top portions are provided adjacent their front ends, a crossbar portion connecting the side wall portions and having an outwardly extending peg is provided on the main body portion adjacent its rear end, and the top portion is provided with a hole in which the peg is received, and including a fastener holding the top portion on the peg.
 6. An arc chute as claimed in claim 5 wherein the fastener is a push-type fastener. 